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Version 9 Version 10
Julie Bishop questions Penny Wong's fitness for office – politics live Julie Bishop questions Penny Wong's fitness for office – question time live
(35 minutes later)
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05:06
We have a condolence motion on Liberal senator Brian Gibson.
Then on to questions.
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What meme is that?
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04:55
Question time coming up.
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04:54
The One Nation media deal cannot be delivered, says Xenophon and Greens
Katharine Murphy
The Greens and Nick Xenophon have held back-to-back press conferences on media reform.
Both groups have made it plain the Turnbull government has entered a deal with One Nation that it has no prospect of delivering, because it lacks the parliamentary numbers to deliver the deal.
Neither group will support the changes One Nation wants to the ABC’s charter. The numbers aren’t there.
That will not get across the line in the Senate,” Xenophon told reporters.
Xenophon says he is committed to trying to land a deal with the government, and will meet with the communications minister Mitch Fifield before question time. He is continuing to pursue his wish list, and says he hopes the Greens will be able to come to the party in the event One Nation steps back from the table.
Given the internal pressures the Greens have been facing, and the NSW senator Lee Rhiannon declined to comment when I asked her this morning whether she supported the Greens negotiating on media reform, I asked the party leader Richard Di Natale whether he was confident his party room would stick behind any media deal.
Of course. We wouldn’t proceed on any other basis.
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I’ve had a look at this site, Libs and Nats for yes and there appears to be no contact on it.
More like Lib Nats for YASSSSSSSSS ping @LibNatsYes, who don't want to be outdone by Labor #auspol #SSM #plebiscite https://t.co/v7clURFKYQ pic.twitter.com/pLNiWdy5JL
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04:38
One Nation need not apply.
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04:34
I haven’t brought you this yet ... just in case you missed it from AAP.
An inner-city Melbourne council could be stripped of its power to host citizenship ceremonies after deciding to stop holding them on Australia Day.
City of Yarra councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night to no longer refer to 26 January as Australia Day and end its tradition of holding citizenship ceremonies on that date in recognition of it being a day of distress for many Indigenous people.
The decision came despite a warning from the assistant minister for immigration and border protection, Alex Hawke, that councils could have their power to host citizenship ceremonies revoked if they politicised the events.
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Ask a dumb question...... pic.twitter.com/NBjv5v9aoIAsk a dumb question...... pic.twitter.com/NBjv5v9aoI
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The Barnaby crush.The Barnaby crush.
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Christopher Knaus has filed this report after some digging in the Oz:Christopher Knaus has filed this report after some digging in the Oz:
A bid by Donald Trump to build Sydney’s first casino was rejected 30 years ago after police expressed concerns about his links to the mafia.A bid by Donald Trump to build Sydney’s first casino was rejected 30 years ago after police expressed concerns about his links to the mafia.
News Corp revealed on Wednesday morning minutes of the New South Wales cabinet that show police had warned the state government against approving a 1986-87 bid by a Trump consortium to build and operate a casino in Darling Harbour.News Corp revealed on Wednesday morning minutes of the New South Wales cabinet that show police had warned the state government against approving a 1986-87 bid by a Trump consortium to build and operate a casino in Darling Harbour.
Trump, in partnership with the Queensland construction company Kern, was one of four groups vying for the lucrative project. The NSW government dumped it from the process on 5 May 1987, along with two other bidders.Trump, in partnership with the Queensland construction company Kern, was one of four groups vying for the lucrative project. The NSW government dumped it from the process on 5 May 1987, along with two other bidders.
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Angus Campbell: if people are not respecting family they will not respect othersAngus Campbell: if people are not respecting family they will not respect others
Chief of Army, Angus Campbell has explained further his concept of how fighting capacity of the army is deeply entwined with its culture.Chief of Army, Angus Campbell has explained further his concept of how fighting capacity of the army is deeply entwined with its culture.
The army, as an instrument of war, is an extraordinarily lethal element of our national institutions. And to use lethality, I need to have confidence in people and trust them.The army, as an instrument of war, is an extraordinarily lethal element of our national institutions. And to use lethality, I need to have confidence in people and trust them.
People who are not respecting those closest to them, I would contend, are least likely in circumstances of extreme stress, to respect others that they do not know.People who are not respecting those closest to them, I would contend, are least likely in circumstances of extreme stress, to respect others that they do not know.
So, if we want an army that serves our nation and pursues the missions given to us, I need to know our people can do that.So, if we want an army that serves our nation and pursues the missions given to us, I need to know our people can do that.
I see some, as you are describing, who will not rehabilitate, who reject rehabilitation. I reject them as members of the army. They cannot serve in the army if they cannot find a pathway to the disciplined use of violence only in lawful circumstances.I see some, as you are describing, who will not rehabilitate, who reject rehabilitation. I reject them as members of the army. They cannot serve in the army if they cannot find a pathway to the disciplined use of violence only in lawful circumstances.
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The Western Australian Parliament is expected to hold a joint sitting at 11am AWST to fill the vacancy caused by Senator Back's resignationThe Western Australian Parliament is expected to hold a joint sitting at 11am AWST to fill the vacancy caused by Senator Back's resignation
You will remember Chris Back will be replaced by Slade Brockman, described by our friends at the West Australian as a staunch conservative. He used to work for Mathias Cormann.You will remember Chris Back will be replaced by Slade Brockman, described by our friends at the West Australian as a staunch conservative. He used to work for Mathias Cormann.
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The chief of army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, is speaking at the National Press Club.The chief of army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, is speaking at the National Press Club.
He is speaking about the campaign against domestic violence and abuse in the Australian defence forces.He is speaking about the campaign against domestic violence and abuse in the Australian defence forces.
He starts by going straight to the criticism from some commentators about defence chiefs running “agendas” as opposed to doing their core job – running the army.He starts by going straight to the criticism from some commentators about defence chiefs running “agendas” as opposed to doing their core job – running the army.
I know some commentators decry agendas, which they regard as detrimental to the war-fighting capability of the Australian defence force. And some note that in their view there are many other important and serious defence and security issues to be talking about. Be assured, these other issues are also receiving my full and appropriate attention, and that of the other chiefs. But we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Indeed, as I will explain, the two are intimately connected. The culture helps to build the force.I know some commentators decry agendas, which they regard as detrimental to the war-fighting capability of the Australian defence force. And some note that in their view there are many other important and serious defence and security issues to be talking about. Be assured, these other issues are also receiving my full and appropriate attention, and that of the other chiefs. But we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Indeed, as I will explain, the two are intimately connected. The culture helps to build the force.
Campbell said last Friday – the same day as he reviewed new infantry troops in Singleton – he read incorrect reports that the army had stopped recruiting men. He said the troop he reviewed had 19 men and two women.Campbell said last Friday – the same day as he reviewed new infantry troops in Singleton – he read incorrect reports that the army had stopped recruiting men. He said the troop he reviewed had 19 men and two women.
To put things into perspective, last financial year, 16/17, 617 men and 23 women entered our first recruit training at Kapooka seeking to qualify for training in the infantry. It does not a revolution make.To put things into perspective, last financial year, 16/17, 617 men and 23 women entered our first recruit training at Kapooka seeking to qualify for training in the infantry. It does not a revolution make.
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Young farmer of the year: I just so happen to be gay. Vote yes
Paul Karp
I’ve had a chat with Jason Smith, an openly gay dairy farmer who just won Young Farmer of the Year at an awards ceremony at parliament.
Smith says he’s worried the postal survey on same-sex marriage “will hurt a lot of rural LGBTI people” but “if it’s going ahead, we must all vote yes”.
I come across some challenging people in rural areas, there are some people who have been quite negative. But overall, there’s a lot of positive [people] for same-sex marriage in rural areas. They truly believe that whichever method it comes about – although I disagree with a postal plebiscite or vote – if it makes it so that we can get it and move forward, then so be it.
Smith says he’s “pretty busy on the farm” but makes regular media appearances and is urging people to enrol at public events.
My thing that I’m trying to get across is, I’m a normal farmer, I just so happen to be gay. This affects everyone, it’s across our community – rural, city, everywhere.
Jason Smith Young Farmer of the Year @ABCNetwork @KondininGroup @NationalFarmers pic.twitter.com/s6uuB10Fl5
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03:30
Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce @ Aust.Farmer of the Year awards in P/H @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/1WR8s1Wppp
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03:29
Lunchtime politics
The Coalition has lost a Senate bid to suspend standing orders to try to censure Labor Senate leader Penny Wong over her chief of staff Marcus Ganley’s contact with NZ Labour MP Chris Hipkins. Hipkins asked a question regarding citizenship relating to a case a lot like Barnaby Joyce, whose father was born in New Zealand. The Greens and Nick Xenophon voted against suspension, as did Australian Conservatives senator Cory Bernardi, who made the point people in politics exploit their personal contacts all the time. Der. Let he or she without sin cast the first stone.
The suspension debate managed to push the media bill further down the Senate agenda to the point where we don’t think our elected representatives will get to it today. Nevertheless, negotiations continue. One Nation have been lauding their proposed amendments which would attempt to rein in the ABC in favour of commercial operations. ON senator Malcolm Roberts held up Rupert Murdoch as a fair and balanced player compared with the ABC, even though he says all privately owned media take sides. Recovering from my whiplash, ON senator Brian Burston has said his party’s “fair and balanced” amendments would mean the ABC would have to put both sides of the case (which they do under their charter), including on issues such as vaccinations.
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One Nation Senator Brian Burston tells @SkyNewsAust the ABC must tell "both sides" of the vaccination "debate" to provide balanced coverage
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02:56
Matthew Knott of Fairfax makes the point:
Looks like One Nation outfoxed by govt on media deregulation. All their main ABC conditions are in separate legislation so will prob fail
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Homeland.
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02:37
An update on housekeeping.
After this morning’s flurry in the Senate, the media reforms have slipped down the order of government business. A cynic might suggest the suspension of standing orders against Penny Wong may have been an exercise to buy time for furious negotiations on the media bill. At this rate, the Senate will not get to it today, given there are a few bills in front of it.
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02:23
Actor Sam Neill passes on a note from his neighbours.
A note from small neighbours Ann & Zac to @JulieBishopMP& @TurnbullMalcolm @AllBlacks @InsidersABC @jacindaardern Barnaby Joyce New Zealand pic.twitter.com/9UEKhJKZu0
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Not that we want to be starting anything ... given there’s too much of everything
Katharine Murphy
I’ve been making calls this morning about the media reform package, given it is now obvious the government is inching towards a conclusion of sorts.
Let’s consider the current state of play.
One Nation and the government have come to terms. Nick Xenophon has signalled he’s not up for One Nation and the government’s terms.
The Greens have signalled a willingness to negotiate as well. Under the former communications spokesman Scott Ludlam, in my view there is no way the Greens would have supported a package removing the two-out-of-three rule, because removing the two-out-of-three rule makes the Australian media market more concentrated in terms of ownership.
But under the new communications portfolio holder, Sarah Hanson-Young, the starting position has become more flexible. The Greens are also concerned about the risk that the media-reform package could become an attack on the public broadcasters if the debate is left to One Nation and the government.
But bearing in mind this is a week in which the Greens have traded public blows with one another on a major current affairs program, I thought it prudent to try and discover whether everyone in the Greens is flexible about talking to the government on media reform.
I started with the obvious person you would start with, given the events of recent times – the NSW Greens senator Lee Rhiannon. I asked her this morning whether she thought it was OK to negotiate with the government on media reform. She replied: “No comment.” When I pressed her to expand on “no comment”, she told me her only comment was “no comment”.
I understand there is internal debate within the Greens about the merits of dealing with the government on this media package, both because of the risks of further concentration in the Australian media market (which various studies suggest is one of the most concentrated, in terms of ownership, in the developed world), and because of a basic political calculation: why throw a lifeline to a struggling Coalition government?
Hard to say how this story ends. It’s going to be interesting to watch how this story comes together.
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02:13
Coalition closes loophole which allowed teens to vote on marriage
Paul Karp
Acting special minister of state, Mathias Cormann, has released a statement announcing he has issued a direction to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, closing a reported loophole that could have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in the same-sex marriage postal survey.
According to the Australian Electoral Commission, 16- and 17-year-olds would never have been able to vote:
The normal enrolment processes apply – 16- and 17-year-olds are not added to the commonwealth electoral roll until they turn 18. They are ‘provisionally’ enrolled until they turn 18. Under section 90B of the Commonwealth Electoral Act the AEC only provided the details of electors that are enrolled, not provisionally enrolled. Section 90B is the AEC’s authority to provide the roll to the ABS, therefore 16- and 17-year-olds will not be included in the Australia Marriage Law Postal Survey.”
But now Cormann has put it beyond doubt, announcing he has issued a direction “to make the intention absolutely clear” that only Australians who are 18 years or older on 24 August, 2017 be allowed to vote.
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